Some thoughts on this long-needed conversation on the long-fractured relationship between my community & the police.
1) I've been criticized for supporting law enforcement in tough situations as well criticizing them when I felt they got it wrong. One thing is clear to me: we've become so tribalistic as a country that it's hard for any side to agree on basic facts.
2) My first professional job was working in juvenile court as a student advocate. During that time I interacted with some outstanding cops but, like many careers, there's always that select bunch that abuses their power. I came in contact with those cops too.
3) One thing that I know without a doubt is that our criminal justice system is broken and has been for a while. I honestly don't know the best way to communicate how my community feels about the police but I can say most has to do with history and personal experiences.
4) I would encourage my friends on the right to listen to Senator Tim Scott's story on the Senate floor. (The first black Republican senator since reconstruction) WATCH==>c-span.org/video/?c461084…
5) And my friends on the left to stop rushing to judgment without all the facts.
READ ==> usatoday.com/story/news/nat…
READ ==> usatoday.com/story/news/nat…
6) Conservatives often talk about the corruption, waste, and abuse in liberal cities. But in the same breath, y'all can't acknowledge that same problem can exist in those cities police departments. BALTIMORE & CHICAGO!
7)I support the blue but, we have a duty make sure that every government agency is following the law. Do you all honestly think the FBI is the only LEO agency that has individuals that abuse their power?
8) AGAIN, MOST COPS HONORABLY DO THEIR JOBS.....
9) When 5 cops got assassinated in my hometown Dallas, I mourned as well. They were protecting the very protesters that were protesting THEM. All of them believed in community policing.
10) Now let's discuss kneeling. I don't agree it's most effective way to have this conversation. Kaepernick probably wasn't the best athletes to facilitate this conversation either. Especially after he wore socks that depicted cops as pigs.
11) But it's important to note that Kaepernick didn't receive that much support from other players during this protest. It was only a handful of players kneeling & the players union didn't release any statement of support.
12) In fact, many in the black community called for a boycott after he got fired but, it wasn't picking up steam.
13) Owners even had an unofficial rule not to do it. (It's their right. It's a private business)
14) Fast forward to POTUS at a rally: He calls on NFL owners (private businesses) to "FIRE" players for kneeling.
15)That put gasoline on the situation that was dying... We went from a handful of players kneeling to over 200 players. Even owners and players that supported POTUS were forced to make statements.
16) What happened today.... only divided us more. I know it's easier to just run back to our perspective corners, but we eventually have to deal with this issue.
17)None of Eagles players kneeled the entire season. I believe the President and Eagles missed a perfect opportunity to lead on this issue.
